Over 50 and Female: Can She Still Be a Series Heroine? Netflix Says Yes!

Her name remains unknown… yet she is ubiquitous. This enigma is the first hint that “The Delicious Professor V.” is no ordinary series. While reminiscent of another popular show, we’ll get into that later. Launched on March 5 on Netflix, this eight-episode miniseries, each lasting thirty minutes, is adapted from the novel by Julia May Jonas, who also led its creation and scriptwriting.

The series closely follows a literature professor in her fifties, portrayed by Rachel Weisz (The Favourite, The Lobster), whose life is quietly crumbling. Her writing career is stagnant. Her classes are drawing fewer students. Her marriage to John (John Slattery from Mad Men) survives only on appearances. Moreover, her husband is embroiled in a nasty scandal that shakes the entire university: he is accused of having multiple affairs with students, exploiting his dominant position.

Meanwhile, her relationship with her daughter has grown strained over the years… In short, everything is going wrong, even if it might seem otherwise. But things start to change with the arrival of Vladimir, played by Leo Woodall. With his piercing blue eyes and devastating charm, he is portrayed as a complete object of desire. This promising young writer has just been hired as her colleague, marking the onset of turmoil.

A Mix of Fleabag and Bridget Jones

What sets the series apart immediately is its narrative approach. Similar to Fleabag, the protagonist often breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience. She shares her thoughts, her justifications, her personal reinterpretations of events… And the audience is left wondering what’s fantasy and what’s reality. This intentional ambiguity is meant to sustain a zone of discomfort.

The tone overlaps with the dramatic comedy akin to Bridget Jones—and the casting of Leo Woodall, who also appeared in the most recent installment of that series, is no coincidence. The show skillfully blends dry humor and self-deprecation while tackling much heavier topics. These include female desire after 50, power dynamics in academia, and the social legitimacy of wanting. Who is allowed to desire, and to what extent? As light-hearted as it may seem, “The Delicious Professor V.” provokes thought.

Leo Woodall, revealed by the show “One Day” on the same platform, confirms here that he’s one of Netflix’s rising stars. His portrayal of Vladimir remains deliberately ambiguous. His intentions are never clearly defined, which helps maintain tension throughout the episodes.

A Miniseries Perfect for One Evening

With its eight episodes of thirty minutes each, “The Delicious Professor V.” can be devoured in one evening. This format is perfect for a series that thrives on buildup and escalating tension. The narrative also subtly tackles post-#MeToo debates about power abuse in academia, without ever imposing a moralistic answer, which is both its strength and, depending on expectations, its limitation.

Rachel Weisz, also an executive producer, carries the series with apparent ease. As for the rest of the cast, Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones) in the role of Vladimir’s wife, and Ellen Robertson (Mickey 17) as the protagonist’s daughter, they round out a polished ensemble. The series may not revolutionize the genre, but it asks the right questions with enough finesse to deserve your evening.

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